Today I decided was a good day to take my break at Chipotle, the I guess you could call it a short order burrito place. I had some cash burning a hole in my wallet and I was afraid if I left it in there too long my usually empty wallet would start to reject it. So I drove across the street, it was really cold...freezing even, and unknowingly stepped into a situation that would not only renew my faith in humanity as a whole, but also in love.
You're probably thinking, Dave...come on that's a big renewal to have at a place like Chipotle, I mean you have to be at like a coffee shop or some organic eatery to have a realization like that. I say fie on you! One of my realizations this evening was that something extraordinary can seem so deceptively simple that we often overlook it. But tonight I caught it like a fly zipping past my face.
The situation...I had been eating my steak burrito by my lonesome doing the simple math problems in my head that the mother was pressing on her daughter at the table next to me while I stared between my burrito and the world beyond the window. Nothing eventful there. Occasionally I'd glance at the table of high-schoolers and not think much about them. My mind was kind of tired from the moral dilemma that had been plaguing me since my boss chewed me out but that's an entire different issue that needs more time for reflection before I start spewing my thoughts out. So as I finish the last few bites of my delicious meal I sigh deeply knowing that my pathetic minimum wage job that I tell myself everyday to be thankful for is calling me back. I stand up and ditch my waste in the appropriate receptacle and leave my plastic basket in the designated area. As I turn to walk towards the door I notice the old man sitting at the booth on the other side of me walk to the drink station. I glance at his table before promptly double-taking back to it.
I notice something immediately...it's set for two. This whole time I had thought the man was alone because I hadn't seen anyone with him yet. Nothing too life-changing there, then I realized the same thing but in a different way...the table was SET for two. To fully comprehend this statement you must realize that Chipotle didn't have place mats or even silver wear. I don't think you can call it fast food but the utensils and napkins worked the same way, they didn't come on the table. This gentleman had unfolded and laid out two napkins like place mats on either side of the table, and had put a knife and a fork in their respective places with a bottle of green Tabasco sauce between them. I watched him walk over to his equally advanced in years wife and help her get them drinks. Then I promptly took a picture of the table on my phone and wanted to shake that man's hand. I didn't of course but in my heart I saluted him.
My realization through all this was as follows. This man loves his wife enough to even set the table for them at a "restaurant." This might be completely normal for them which makes it that much more special to me. In a world of divorce and pain this guy loves his wife probably because he has for longer than he can remember. Now I don't know this gentleman but I know he did something special for his wife because he found her worth the effort and has probably found her worth the effort for a lifetime. Basically it was the sweetest thing I've seen a guy do for a girl in a while. It was refreshing because the guys I'm around at work treat girls and women more like something to be used rather than cherished. This man unknowingly refreshed my hope in my own abilities to cherish the ones I love for as long as I live. So kudos guy for giving me that glimmer of hope I'd been looking for. Keep setting that table and I'll start setting mine. If I ever see you again I will shake your hand...I promise.
No comments:
Post a Comment